Today it seems like every blanket manufacturer in the horse industry is touting its latest "Waterproof/Breathable" rug. But that was not the case in the early 1980's when Lynn Bishop was working for W.L. Gore and Associates. In fact, at that time, there weren't any materials being used in horse clothing that could do what GoreTex® fabric was doing for human sportswear. Gore's amazing PTFE membrane had the ability to keep an athlete completely dry, while allowing sweat to leave the body through the fabric's unique membrane.
As a hunter/jumper rider, Lynn instinctively
recognized the value Gore's invention could have for the equine market.
Excited about the possibilities, she began contacting blanket manufacturers,
retailers and consumers to see what they thought of her idea. Lynn's
research came back with a resounding response: If someone could make
a blanket that was truly both waterproof and breathable, as well as
lightweight, horse owners would buy it. With this mission in
mind, Lynn founded Classic Cover-Ups in 1986 and was joined shortly
thereafter by her husband Ian.
The company began by filling its original promise - creating the Classic Extreme Blanket and Super Sheet, using the revolutionary Gore-Tex membrane. Although many others have followed in its footsteps, the Classic Extreme from Classic Cover-Ups will always remain the original waterproof/breathable blanket.
Over the years, Classic Cover-Ups built
a reputation on superior quality and customer service, as well as innovation
and value. In the 1990's, the company introduced its Sympatex® line
of blankets and sheets. Sympatex is the leading waterproof/breathable
membrane in Europe and combines many of Gore-Tex's best features at
a lower price point. Finally, in just the last two years, Ian Bishop
launched the now recognizable " Horses In Black" line as well as the
"Big Kahuna". Ian has won several awards for his design and creativity
of the company's exhibit at the industry's
leading trade show.
